Paracetamol-induced Changes of Haemato- Biochemical and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Rat Blood: Protective Role of Vitamin C and Β-glucan

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is widely used as an over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of vitamin C (100mg/kg/day i.p.) and β-glucan (40 mg/kg/day i.p.) on altered haematological, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters in the blood of rats treated with paracetamol (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 3 days. Exposure of rats to paracetamol caused changes of some haematological parameters (RBCs count, Hb concentration, Ht value and WBCs count), suggesting that the paracetamol induced haematotoxicity. Paracetamol reduced serum total protein (TP), albumin and globulin, while increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities compared to the control. The results indicate that paracetamol is led to significant decrease in the concentration of Na and K and increase of Ca in the serum compared to the control. Coadministration of vitamin C and β-glucan with paracetamol reversed these changes of haematological and biochemical parameters and diminished the toxic effects of paracetamol. The obtained results indicated that the concentration of LPO in erythrocytes significantly increased in, while the concentration of GSH significantly decreased in the group treated with paracetamol compared to control group. Coadministration of vitamin C and β-glucan with paracetamol reversed paracetamol-induced alterations in these oxidative stress parameters. This study suggests that paracetamol has significant prooxidative effects and may disrupt oxidant/antioxidant balance in erythrocytes. Furthermore, coadministration with vitamin C and β-glucan have protective effects on paracetamol-induced oxidative damage and haematotoxicity.